Hundreds of persons, too poor longer to support themselves, had obtained Howe’s permission to depart in boats to Point Shirley, whence they made their way into the country--homeless, penniless and miserable. But still Aunt Martha’s will would not allow her to yield. “No--no,” she declared more than once, “I’ll not go! The good Lord knows how I long to be with David, but I know that he is being well cared for. Glen gave me his word, and he is a man I’d trust to the ends of the earth.” Mrs. Lancaster, who happened to be calling, only shook her head. “Yes, I know you think I’m stubborn,” Don’s aunt continued. “Perhaps I am, but I intend to remain right here in my own home, and that’s an end of it.” One day in January, Don and Jud went to Aunt Martha with a request that Don be permitted, as Jud said, to “go some place” the following evening. “Where do you want to go, Don?” she asked. “Down to Faneuil Hall,” Don said quickly. “There’s something or other going on there, and we’d like to see it.” “There’ll be music,” added Jud. “British music,” said Aunt Martha. “Well, yes, but it may sound all right.” Aunt Martha frowned. “Oh, say, Aunt Martha,” exclaimed Don, laughing, “we won’t become Tories--honest. It’s mighty dull here these days, and we want to see what’s going on. It’s all right, isn’t it?” If Aunt Martha was stubborn she seldom showed it where her nephew was concerned, and this time was no exception to the rule. She yielded to him--whereas the whole force of General Howe only made her the more resolute! “Good for you, Aunt Martha,” said Jud--he had got into the habit of calling her “aunt,” and she seemed rather pleased with him for doing it. “I picked up some information to-day,” he added. “Our privateers have been doing some great things on the high seas. They’ve captured hundreds of the King’s vessels.” “I’ve heard of Captain Manly,” said Aunt Martha. “Well, there are lots besides Captain Manly,” Jud replied. “And another thing--our men have chosen a flag; it’s called the Union Flag of the Thirteen Stripes--one stripe for each Colony, you see. They raised it the first day of the year.” “My, my, Judson. Where you and Donald learn all these things is a mystery to me.” “Well, you see,” replied the resourceful Jud, “if we go to Faneuil Hall to-morrow night we’ll probably learn more, hey, Don?” But at that moment Snell and Hawkins entered, and the conversation ceased. CHAPTER XIII A FARCE IS INTERRUPTED